Means for stretching articles



Nov. 7, 1933. G. M. ARGABRITE MEANS FOR STRETCHINCT ARTICLES 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 21, 1930 llllll 620/306 7720f aba'ie Z 9 69mmNov. 7, 1933. G. M. ARGABRITE MEANS FOR STRETCHING ARTICLES Filed Feb.21, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 invent)?" Geo/:96 777. d gabw'z 1933- G. M.ARGABRITE MEANS FOR STRETCHING ARTICLES Filed Feb. 21, 1930 3Sheets-Sheet 3 I'll llI .MHIIIIIHIIIM! c ii Patented Nov. 7, 1933 UNITEDSTATES PATENT oFFlce Application February 21, 1930. Serial No. 430,260

11 Claims.

This invention relates to means for stretching articles, such as leatheror other sheet-like material.

It has been proposed as, for example, in my co-pending application filedFebruary 21, 1930, Serial No. 4%,259, in connection with. the above typeof apparatus, to mount a plurality of movable carriers on a stretchingframe for simultaneous or independent movement for stretching a sheet ofleather, or the like, on a frame.

When the sheet of leather, or the like, is of sufficiently great areathat it would be inconvenient to make and use a frame of such size thatthe sheet may be stretched on one side of the frame,

it is desirable to use both sides of a frame of ordinary size forstretching the sheet.

lhe primary object of this invention is, accordingly, to provide anapparatus whereby a relatively large sheet of leather, or the like, maybe stretchedon a frame of ordinary size.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus wherein bothsides of astretching frame are utilized for stretching the same sheet ofleather or other material.

25 A further object of my invention is to provide a stretching apparatusof the type shown in my above co-pending application, wherein arelatively large sheet of leather, or the like, may be stretched.

3c Gther andfur her objects of this invention will be apparent as thesame becomes better under,- stcod from an examination of thespecification and claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view of a stretching apparatus embodying thisinvention;

2 is an enlarged sectional view taken at the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional 4o view taken at the line3'-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken at the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view, with parts in section, of a sectionof the frame to be hereinafter described;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section taken at the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section taken at the line '77 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken at the line 8-8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken at the line 9-9 of Fig.1.

Referring to the drawings more particularly,

reference character 1 designates generally the main frame of theapparatus which is preferably formed of tubing and generally rectangularin shape, including longitudinal members 2 and 2 and transverse members3, 3 which are connected at the corners of the frame by couplings 4.This 603 main frame may be of ordinary size, preferably 5 feet by 12feet, and is adapted to have stretched thereon the entire hide 10 of acow, or a sheetlike article of the same size, the'hide, as shown indotted lines in Fig. 1, being folded over the frame member 2 and theedges of the hide on either side of the frame drawn longitudinally ofand. away from said member by mechanism which will be hereinafterdescribed- Extending centrally across the main frame 1, bothlongitudinally and transversely, is a bracing structure of which 5constitutes the'longitudinal portion and 6 the transverse portion. Theseportions are connected together at the center of the frame where theymeet, as shown in Fig. 1. Said portions'5 and 6 divide the main frameinto four rectangular sections, the two of which at the side adjacentthe longitudinal member 2 are designated 7 and the two of which at theside adjacent the longitudinal member 2 are designated- 8. The sections7 are of substantially the same size and shape and are longitudinallyspaced and the sections 8 are likewise of substantially the same sizeand shape. and are longitudinally spaced, the sections 8 being somewhatwider than the sections '7.

Located in each section 8 are a pair of auxilie ary frames or carriers 9of substantially the same shape as the section,'but somewhat smaller insize, so that the carriers may have movement in the section in the planethereof. In each section '7 is a pair of carriers 11 likewise ofsubstantially the same, shape as the section but somewhat smaller insize. The carriers 9 and 11 are arranged on opposite sides of the frame,so that there is a set of four carriers on each side of the frame. Eachcarrier 9 is slidably supported in. its section on a pair of inclinedrods 12 and 13. These rods are arranged to provide a pair of paralleltracks for each carrier 9 and are supported by the bracing structure. 5,6 and the members 2, 3 of the main frame, as shown in Fig. 1 The tracksafforded by the rods 12 and 13 are inclined from the bracing structureso that the carriers 9 may be moved obliquely toward and from the centerof the frame. Each carrier 11 is slidably supported in its section on apair of parallel rods 14, which rods extend longitudinally of the mainframe, as shown in Fig. 1.

The rods 13 have their outer ends secured to the side members 3 of themain frame by clamps 15, while similar clamps 16 connect the outer endsof the rods 12 to the longitudinal side memher 2 of the main frame. Theinner ends of the rods 13 are supported by the longitudinal portion 5 ofthe bracing structure while the central or inner portions of the rods 12are supported by the transverse portion 6 of said structure, the bracingstructure being suitably apertured to receive these rods. The bracingstructure, including the longitudinal portion 5 and transverse portion6, is preferably built up of angle sections secured together in back toback relation, as shown in Fig. 2. The angle sections of the bracingstructure for one set of carriers 9 and 11 on one side of the main frameare spaced from the corresponding sections for the other set of carriersby a number of spacers interposed between them, so that the anglesections of the bracing structure for each set of carriers will be inproper position to support the rods for their respective sets. One ofsuch spacers 1? is shown in Fig. 2. These are located near the ends ofthe structure where it is joined by welding, or otherwise, to the mainframe. A suitable spacer is located between the angle sections wherethey meet at the center of the main frame and such structure isindicated generally by 18 in Fig. 1.

The rods 14 have their ends secured to the transverse frame members 3, 3through the intermediary of extensions 19 on these members and aperturedbosses formed on said extensions through which bosses these rods extend.These rods 14 like the rods 12 have their central portions supported bythe portion 6 of the bracing structure, the latter being suitablyapertured for this purpose.

Each of the carriers 9 includes a marginal frame 21, in angle form andarranged with one set of flanges in a plane parallel to the plane ofmovement of the carrier. A perforated plate 22 is secured to the outerside of the flanges and is coextensive with the area of the frame exceptfor one corner, as will be hereinafter described. The perforations 23 inthe plate 22 are regularly distributed over the surface of the plate,and serve.

: the corners of the hide will be drawn away from the center of theframe and away from the longi tudinal members 2 over which theintermediate portion of the hide is folded. The clips 24 are. so madethat the hide engaged thereby is main-- tained out of contact with. theplates 18 so that a space is provided between the plates and the hidefor the circulation of air between themwhen drying the hide, eithernaturally or artificially, as when the frame 1 with a hide thereon isplaced in or run through the drying chamber of a drier The other flangesof;

apparatus (not shown). each carrierframe 21 extend inwardly and-areprovided with openings for the rods 12, 13 to pass through. Plates 25are secured to these flanges at the holes therein to provide relativelywide bearing surfaces for the rods.

Each carrier 11 likewise includes a marginal frame in angle formsubstantially the same as the marginal frame 21 of the carriers 9 and aperforated plate 26, as in the case of the carriers the element 9, issecured to this marginal frame and is coextensive with the area thereofexcept for a portion intermediate the outer edge thereof, as hereinafterdescribed. These plates 26 are, like the plates 22, adapted to havemounted thereon toggles 24 for attachment to the side edges of the hide10 so that as the carriers 11 are moved outwardly away from the centerof the frame they will stretch the hide longitudinally along the frameelement 2 A plurality of longitudinally spaced sleeves 2'7 are slidablymounted on 2 to facilitate longitudinal stretching of the hide at thepoint where it is folded over the edge of the main frame. These sleeves2'7 increase the effective diameter of the frame member 2 to such anextent as to keep the hide out of contact with the plates 26.

When stretching a hide the main frame 1 is disposed ina horizontalposition, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The main frame is supported inraised position by a pair of rail sections 28, 28 on opposite sides ofthe main frame, said rail sections being exterior of the main frame andsupported above the floor of the workroom by upright standards 29, 29 atthe opposite ends of the sections. The main frame 1 is provided at itsends with flanged rollers 31, 31 for supporting the frame on said rails.The rollers 31 are secured to the end members 3, 3 of the main frame byclamps 32, 32 which offset the rollers to one side of the longitudinalcenter line of the frame so as to give it more weight on one side of therollers than on the other, thereby allowing the main frame to swing intoa horizontal position when dropped on to the rail sections 28 from anoverhead trackway (not shown) from which the main frame may be suspendedin vertical position by hangers 33, 33 while traveling into, through andout of the drier apparatus (not shown). The hangers 33, 33 are attachedto the main frame at the opposite ends of the frame element 2*, as shownin Fig. l. The standards 29 support the rail sections 29 high enough sothat the main frame can be swung about the axis of the rollers 26 tobring either set of carriers 9, 11 on opposite sides of the main frameinto uppermost position. The main frame 1 is supported in horizontalposition by a number of stops 34, 34 on pedestals 35 for the power unitswhich will now be described. To move the carriers 9 and 11 of eitherset, simultaneously or independently for stretching hide attachedthereto, I provide four power units designated generally by thereference character 36, two arranged at the corners of the main frameadjacent to the carriers 9, and two at the ends of the main frame nearthe opposite corners, when the main frame is in horizontal stretchingposition, as shown in Fig. 1. Each power Luiit 36 includes a cylinder 37provided with a piston 38 and piston rod 39, which extends through theend of the cylinder toward the main frame 1. A link 41 is pivoted to theouter end of each rod 39 and the free or outer end of the link is in theform of a hook 42 adapted to be engaged over a rib on a casting carriedby the carrier which is desired to be drawn outwardly by the respectivepower unit. In the case of the carriers 9, this casting is desig natedas 43 and is fitted within the corner of the carrier beneath the plate22, the latter being cut away at such corner to allow a rib to extendabove the plate. The links 41 of the corresponding power units extendover the upper side of the frame to engage these ribs and when motivefluid is supplied to the cylinders 37 of these units a elongated slots58 in the strips 56.

the carriers 9 will be moved outwardly. The casting for the carriers 11corresponding to the casting. 43 is designated 44 and is situatedbeneath each of the plates 26 intermediate the outer edge of the frameof the respective carrier, the plate 26 thereof being cut away to allowa rib to extend above the plate so that the link 41 of the correspondingpower unit may engage said rib to draw the carrier longitudinally andoutwardly as the motive fluid is supplied to the cylinder of said unit.

When stretching the material folded over the longitudinal member 2 ofthe frame and attached to the carriers, means is provided to pre ventthe carriers from being drawn inwardly by the tension of the stretchedhide when the power is released from the carriers and when the links 41are lifted therefrom so as not to losethe benefit of the stretchingoperation. This means is provided for each carrier at the point wherethe links 41 of the corresponding unit are adapted to be attached. Eachmeans includes a rod 45 arranged in parallelism with the rods on whichthe respective carriers are adapted to travel.

a Rod 45 extends inwardly from the main frame 1 and has its outer endrotatably supported in a boss provided for that purpose. In the case ofthe carriers 9, this boss is integrally formed on the couplings 4 and inthe case of the carriers 11 this boss is integrally formed on theextensions 19. A nut 46 is applied to the outer end of the rod 45 on theouter side of the boss and a handle member 47 is pinned to the rod onthe inner side of the boss. The nut and handle member hold the rodagainst endwise movement. The inner portion of the rod 39 extends intothe casting (43 in the case of the carriers 9, and 44 in the case of thecarriers 11) and the latter has a tubular portion 48 to slidably receivethe rod. The rod 45 is provided on one side with a series of integralratchet teeth 49 which are adapted to engage a spring pressed pawl orplunger 51 in a tubular housing 52 in said casting. The housing 52 isarranged at right angles to the rod and opens into the tubular'portion48, so that the plunger may engage the teeth 49 as thecarrier movesoutwardly to prevent inward movement thereof. To release the plunger 51,from the teeth of the rod so that the carrier may be moved inwardly tocondition it for the beginning of a stretching operation, the rod may beturned by the'handle member 47 to present the smooth side of the rod tothe plunger.

Each power unit 36 has a stationary base-plate 53, suitably secured to aU-shaped casting 54 on the upper end of the pedestal 35, shown in Fig.3. Angle strips 55, 55 are secured to the upper side of the plate 53adjacent its side edges to provide a channel therebetween. The cylinder3? is slidably mounted in this channel through the intermediary of anglestrips 56, 56 which rest on the base plate 53 and fit against the innersides of the strips 55. Studs or screws 57 are fixed to the strips 55and extend into horizontal The ends of the strips 56 toward the mainframe 1, are brought together, as shown in Fig. 5, and the stop 34heretofore referred to is attached to one of these strips.

To move the cylinder back and forth so as to V adjust the stop 34, andthe link 41, for engagement with the main frame 1, and the correspondingcarrier I provide a rack 59 on the underside of the cylinder between thestrips 56. A segment gear 61 is in mesh with the rack, the base plate 53being provided with an elongated slot to enable the gear to engage therack. The gear is fixed to a rockshaft 62 journaled in a boss 63integrally formed on the casing 54. A handle member 64 on one end of theshaft 62 is adapted to be manually operated.

When the main frame 1 is swung into horizontal position for a stretchingoperation,'the cylinders of the several power units are moved inwardlyby turning the handles 64 so as to bring the stops 34 under theircorresponding positions on the main frame to support the same inhorizontal position. The frame being heavier on one side of the rollers31 than on the other, the frame will remain against the stops withoutother fastening or holding means. With the links 41 engaging theuppermost carriers, the frame cannot be displaced out of its horizontalposition. To release the frame so that it may be swung about the axis ofthe rollers 31 to bring the other set of carriers uppermost, thecylinders are moved backward after the links are released. Thiswithdraws the stops 34 from under the frame so that the latter may beturned over,

whereupon the cylinders are again moved forward to position the stopsunder the frame, as before.

Connected with each cylinder are a pair of conduits 65 and 66 which openinto the opposite ends of the cylinder. These conduits lead to a controlvalve 6'7, one for each cylinder. These valves are positioned at acentral station and are adapted to be manually operated to selective- 1yconnect the conduits 65 and 66 to either a source of fluid pressure, orexhaust for control- 1 m ling the pistons 38.

In the use of my invention the stretching action is within the controlof the operator and V the hide may be stretched to the extent desiredover all portions thereof and an entire hide may 115, be stretched on aframe of ordinary size. In addition, slight variations in sizes of hidesmay be'accommodated for by the degree of adjustment afforded by thedetachable toggles 24, which may be attached in place on the surface1'20.- of the plates 22 and 26.

I am aware that many changes may be made without departing from theprinciplesof this invention. Itherefore do not wish to be limited to thedetails shown or described.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for stretching leather or other sheet materialscomprising a frame, means supported on the frame for mounting thematerial to be stretched, said means being adapted to 136 be moved andstretch such material lying partly on one side and partly on the otherside of the frame, the frame being provided with an elongated elementslidably mounted thereon for engaging an intermediate part of thematerial where the same passes from one side to the other of the frame,said element retaining said article out of contact with the sides of theframe.

2. An apparatus for stretching leather or other 1'40 sheet materialscomprising a frame, means supported on the frame for mounting thematerial to be stretched, said means being adapted to be moved andstretch such material lying partly on one side and partly on the otherside of the frame, the frame being provided with an elongated elementrotatably mounted thereon for engaging an intermediate part of thematerial where it passes from one side to the other of the frame, saidmeans including movable members [50 on each side of the frame,independent of each other for drawing the edges of said material on eachside of the frame away from said element.

3. An apparatus of the character described including a stretching framefor stretching an article lying partly on one side and partly on theother side of said frame, said frame being provided with an elongatedelement for engaging an intermediate part of said article where the samepasses from one side to the other side of the frame, said element beingcylindrical in form and slidably mounted on one extremity of the frame,means including movable members on each side of the frame for drawingthe edges of said article away from said cylindrical element, and meansfor actuating said members and also for supporting the frame inhorizontal position, said means being detachable to allow said frame tobe rotated.

4. An apparatus of the character described embodying a stretching framefor stretching an article lying partly on one side and partly on theother side of said frame, said frame being provided with a rotatableelement for engaging an intermediate part of said article, where thesame passes from one side to the other of the frame means includingmovable members for drawing the edges of said article on oneside of theframe away from said element and power actuated means adapted to movesaid movable members in a plurality of directions.

5. An apparatus of the character described, including a stretchingframe, and means on the frame for stretching an article lying partly onone side and partly on the other side of the frame, the frame beingprovided with an elongated element for engaging an intermediate part ofthe article where the same passes from one side to the other of theframe, said means in eluding members adapted to be moved and disposed atopposite sides of the frame for drawing the edges of said article inopposite directions but parallel to said element and in a plurality ofdirections at an angle to said element.

6. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a stretchingframe, means on the frame for stretching an article lying partly on oneside and partly on the other side of the frame, one edge of the framemounting a rotatable member of greater diameter than the edge andengaging an intermediatepart of the article, said means includingmembers on opposite sides of the frame adapted to be moved by meansexterior of the frame for drawing the edges of said article away fromthe middle of said frame edge toward the other edges of the frame.

7.- An apparatus of the character described comprising a stretchingframe, means on the frame for mounting and stretching an article lyingpartly on one side of the frame and partly on the other, and acylindrical element slidably mounted on one edge of said frame forengaging said article where it passes from one side of the frame to theother.

8. An apparatus of the character described, embodying a stretchingframe, means on the frame for mounting and stretching an article lyingpartly on one side and partly on the other side of the frame, the framebeing provided with an elongated element for engaging an intermediatepart of the article where the same passes from one side to the other ofthe frame, said means including a pair of oppositely slidable membersadapted to be connected to the article to be stretched and mounted onthe frame, said members being adapted to be engaged and moved by meanswithout the frame in a direction parallel to said element.

9. An apparatus of the character described, including a stretching framefor stretching an article lying partly on one side and partly on theother side of the frame, said frame being provided with an elongatedelement for engaging an intermediate part of the article where it passesfrom one side to the other of the frame, a pair of oppositely slidablemembers adapted to be connected to the article to be stretched mountedon the frame, a second pair of similar members on said frame, saidmembers being adapted to be actuated by means outside the frame wherebyone pair of said members will move in a direction parallel to saidelement and the other pair of the members in a direction oblique to saidelement. r

10. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a stretchingframe, means on the frame for stretching. an article lying partly on oneside and partly on the other side of the frame, a cylindrical elementslidably mounted on one edge of said frame, said element being adaptedto engage an intermediate part of the article where it passes from oneside to the other of the frame, said means including movable members,each capable of being connected at a plurality of spaced points to saidarticle for drawing the edges of said article on each side of the frameaway in a plurality of directions both from and parallel to saidelement. 7

11. An apparatus of the character described, including a frame, a pairof aligned members slidably mounted thereon for movement toward and awayfrom each other, a pair of members slidably mounted thereon for movementat an angle to said other members, all said members being arranged tomount part of a skin on one side of a frame, and similar members on theother side of the frame;

GEORGE M. ARGABRITE.

CERTEFICATE GP 0RRE(I'1i0N.

Patent No. 1,934,027. Novamber 7 1933.

GEORGE M. ARGABRETE.

z t t ermr appears in tha minted sptzcification of the ahaveiiiiifiiifii' requir'ng serrestion as feilews: in the heading to theprinted speciiiahtien, line 4, for "Procter" read Prectar; page 2, line518, for "29 shsend aneurysms read 28; page 3, lime 79, for "easing"read casting; and page E23, eiaim i strike exit the word "away" andinsert the same after "bath" in saint: Line; and that the said LettersPateht should be read with these correctisns t erein that the same mayconform to tim record of the case in the Patent Qiiice.

Signed and seaied this 9th day of January, A. D, 1934.

F. \l. Hopkins (Seal) Acting Commissioner 0f Patenta.

